Cooper Marody Bio
Cooper Patrick Marody (born December 20, 1996) is an American professional ice hockey player for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the American Hockey League (AHL). Standing 183 cm and weighing 86 kg, Marody plays as a forward and was drafted 158th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. He has built his career through the United States Hockey League, the University of Michigan, and the Edmonton Oilers organization before returning to the Flyers’ system.
Known for his playmaking and offensive consistency at the collegiate level, Marody has translated his scoring touch into professional hockey. After starting his professional career in 2018, he earned a brief NHL stint with the Edmonton Oilers and has since settled into a key role within the Philadelphia Flyers’ developmental pipeline with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
Early Life and Background
Cooper Patrick Marody was born on December 20, 1996, to Patrick and Lisa Marody. He grew up in Brighton, Michigan, where he attended St. Patrick School before moving on to St. Mary’s Preparatory School in Orchard Lake Village for two years. During his freshman year at St. Mary’s Prep, Marody played for the junior varsity team before earning a promotion to the varsity roster later in the season.
During his sophomore year, Marody was named to the 2012–13 Michigan High School Hockey Coaches Association (MHSHCA) First Team All-State. The recognition marked him as one of the top high school players in Michigan and helped set the stage for his junior hockey career. His development at St. Mary’s Prep drew the attention of United States Hockey League scouts.
Path to Hockey
Marody was selected 130th overall by the Green Bay Gamblers in the 2013 USHL Draft, though he was never signed by that club. He instead attended an open tryout camp for the Muskegon Lumberjacks and signed with them as a free agent. During the 2013–14 season, he posted nine goals and 21 assists in 58 games for the Lumberjacks, showing reliable offensive production in his first full junior season.
He began the 2014–15 season with Muskegon, recording two goals and seven assists in 14 games before being traded to the Sioux Falls Stampede on December 4, 2014, in exchange for Will Graber. With the Stampede, Marody erupted for 20 goals and 29 assists in 38 regular season games. He then added one goal and 11 assists in 12 playoff games to help Sioux Falls capture the 2015 Clark Cup championship.
Cooper Marody Career
Early Career (2015–2018)
Marody began his collegiate career with the Michigan Wolverines during the 2015–16 season, recording his first goal and assist in his debut on October 16, 2015, against Mercyhurst. As a freshman, he posted 10 goals and 14 assists in 32 games despite missing over a month of action due to mononucleosis. The following season was shortened when he was ruled academically ineligible for the first semester, but he returned in time for the 2016 Great Lakes Invitational.
During the 2016–17 season, Marody recorded five goals and 10 assists in 18 games and netted his first career hat-trick on February 3, 2017, against Ohio State. He was named the Big Ten Third Star of the Week for the week ending February 7, 2017, earning his first weekly conference award.
University of Michigan Breakthrough (2017–2018)
Marody’s junior season at Michigan was his breakout year. He was named the Big Ten Scoring Champion after recording 16 goals and 35 assists in 40 games. His 51 points led the Big Ten and ranked sixth in the NCAA, while his 35 assists ranked first in the conference and third nationally. He became the third Wolverine to capture the Big Ten scoring title, following Zach Hyman in 2015 and Kyle Connor in 2016.
From October 27 to November 18, 2017, Marody posted an eight-game multi-point streak with four goals and 15 assists, becoming the first Michigan player to record multiple points in eight consecutive games since Brian Wiseman in 1993–94. He was named the Big Ten First Star of the Week for the week ending January 3, 2018, and recorded his second career hat-trick while helping Michigan claim third place at the 2018 Great Lakes Invitational, earning a spot on the all-tournament team.
Following the season, Marody was named to the All-Big Ten First Team and was selected as an American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) Second Team All-American. He was also nominated for the Hobey Baker Award, though he did not finish as a top-10 finalist. In the 2018 Big Ten tournament, he recorded three assists against Wisconsin and scored both Michigan goals in a semifinal overtime loss to Ohio State. In the 2018 NCAA tournament, he scored twice, including the game-winning goal against Northeastern in the regional semifinals, and added a goal against Boston University to help Michigan reach the Frozen Four for the first time since 2011.
Edmonton Oilers Era (2018–2022)
On March 21, 2018, the Philadelphia Flyers traded Marody’s rights to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. He signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Oilers on April 8, 2018, and was immediately assigned to their AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors. He made his professional debut on April 11, 2018, recording his first professional point with the primary assist on a goal by Tyler Vesel, and scored his first professional goal the next day against Stephon Williams of the San Jose Barracuda.
Marody was recalled to the NHL for the first time on October 21, 2018, due to injuries on the Edmonton roster, and made his NHL debut on October 23 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was later reassigned to the Condors and was named to the 2019 AHL All-Star Game after leading Bakersfield in scoring. As a free agent from the Oilers, he returned to his original draft club on July 13, 2022, signing a two-year, two-way contract with the Philadelphia Flyers.
Lehigh Valley Phantoms Era (2024–Present)
After concluding his NHL contract with the Flyers, Marody opted to remain within the organization, signing a two-year AHL contract extension with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on July 30, 2024. He has continued to serve as a veteran presence and offensive contributor within the Flyers’ developmental system in the AHL.
Driving Style and Strengths
Marody is recognized for his playmaking vision, precise passing, and ability to extend multi-point streaks at the collegiate and professional levels. His 35 assists in a single college season ranked among the national leaders and reflected his strength as a setup forward rather than a pure goal-scorer.
Notable Events and Milestones
Marody helped the Sioux Falls Stampede win the 2015 Clark Cup, captured the 2017–18 Big Ten Scoring Championship, and was part of the Michigan Wolverines squad that reached the 2018 NCAA Frozen Four. He also recorded his first NHL point with the Edmonton Oilers during the 2018–19 season.
Cooper Marody Career Wins
Marody’s verified championship-level success includes the 2015 Clark Cup with the Sioux Falls Stampede and the 2017–18 Big Ten Scoring Title with the Michigan Wolverines. He has not yet captured a professional league championship but has been a consistent contributor at the AHL level.
Junior and Collegiate Highlights
Marody’s most prominent championship came with the Sioux Falls Stampede in 2015, where he was a key playoff performer with 12 points in 12 games. He followed that with the 2017–18 Big Ten Scoring Title, leading the conference with 51 points while earning All-Big Ten First Team and AHCA Second Team All-American honors.
Other Wins & Performances
Marody was named to the 2019 AHL All-Star Game after leading the Bakersfield Condors in scoring during the early part of the 2018–19 season. He has posted strong offensive numbers at multiple levels, including a 51-point college season and double-digit goal totals in junior hockey.
Cooper Marody Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Cooper Marody is the son of Patrick and Lisa Marody. He grew up in Brighton, Michigan, and developed his hockey skills in local programs before attending St. Mary’s Preparatory School.
Personal Life
In June 2020, Marody wrote and recorded the song “Agape” as a tribute for the wife of former teammate Colby Cave. Beyond his music and hockey commitments, he continues to focus on his professional career in the American Hockey League.
2025 Season Performance
Cooper Marody enters the 2025 season continuing his tenure with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms under the two-year AHL contract extension signed on July 30, 2024. He is expected to remain a top offensive contributor and veteran leader within the Flyers’ AHL affiliate as the organization develops its next wave of NHL talent.
Marody’s track record of consistent point production at every level, combined with his NHL experience, gives him a clear role as both a producer and a mentor. His performance in 2025 will be measured against his usual offensive benchmarks and his value as a bridge player for prospects moving up to professional hockey.
Heading into the new season, Marody’s outlook remains steady. With another year on his contract, he has the security to focus on helping the Phantoms compete in the AHL while remaining available for any NHL opportunity that may arise through the Flyers.